Shadow puppetry to help conserve medicinal plants in Arunachal Pradesh

Itanagar: The Arunachal Pradesh government has decided to take the help of shadow puppetry to supplement its efforts in creating awareness about the importance of conserving medicinal plants in the state.

The Centre for Cultural Research and Documentation (CCRD) here has taken an initiative to hold shadow puppetry shows in the selected places where medicinal plants are found. The state has a rich diversity of the plants.

Puppetry is a form of theatre or performance which involves the manipulation of puppets. It is believed to have its origin 3000 years BC, while shadow puppetry is an ancient form of storytelling which uses flat articulated figures (shadow puppets) to create the impression of moving humans.

Shadow puppets are cut-outs which are held between a source of light and a translucent screen. The cut-out shapes of the puppets sometimes include translucent colour or other types of detailing.

"The theme of the show is in accordance with the UNDP project 'Mainstream conservation and sustainable management of medicinal plants' launched in the state a few years ago by the Arunachal Pradesh State Medicinal Plants Board," CCRD Executive Director Moji Riba said.

The maiden shadow puppetry show presented at Ziro in lower Subansiri district last July drew massive applause from the audience which included Chief Minister Nabam Tuki.